BEVERLY: George D. Zarkades, 80, died Friday, June 17, 2011 in the Salem Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Lesley Richardson Zarkades, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage.
Born in Beverly, George was the eldest child of the late Harry and Roumpene Zarkades. He was a graduate of Beverly High School, attending Northeastern University prior to entering the United States Air Force and serving during the Korean conflict.
George's career was spent in management with Filene's North Shore, Filene's Basement in Boston, and the TJX Companies in Framingham. In later years he was associated with The Girdler House Retirement Home of Beverly.
George was a lifelong learner and an avid reader on many subjects. He was a skilled builder, designer and problem solver who was often called upon by members of the community for assistance. His capabilities were legendary, but most important to him were his roles of Husband, Dad and Grandfather.
In addition to his wife, George is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Dr. John Ricardo of Cheshire, CT and Dena and James Lisle of Beverly; a son Neil Zarkades and his fiancée, Nicole Walsh of Beverly; two brothers, Anthone Zarkades and his wife, Pat, of Salem and Nicholas Zarkades and his wife, Alexis, of Beverly; three grandchildren, Andrew and Hayley Ricardo, of Cheshire, CT and Carrie Lisle Klimek and her husband Tom, of Bellefonte, PA; a great-granddaughter, Bianca Rose Klimek; two sisters-in-law, Sandra McGreavey and Jean Richardson, both of England and thirteen nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Ivy Richardson of England, his much loved sister, Matina and her husband, Peter Kallas, of Beverly, four brothers-in-law John Richardson and Patrick McGreavey of England, and Joseph Wright and Timothy Searls of San Antonio, TX, a sister-in-law, Laraine Wright Searls of San Antonio, TX and a nephew, Garry Richardson of England.
George's family would like to express their deep gratitude to the nurses, physicians and support staff of the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, the Shaughnessy-Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem, and the Salem Hospital, for the skilled competence of his care and for the respect and unfailing compassion shown to George and his family every day during his illness.
A service in celebration of George's life will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 4 Ocean Street, Beverly on Saturday, June 25th at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. Contributions in George's honor may be made to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 4 Ocean Street, Beverly, MA 01915 or to The Girdler House Retirement Home, 78 Lothrop Street, Beverly, MA 01915.